Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia here, the hosts of the daily Locked On Suns podcast, with your daily Locked On Suns newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Suns and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Phoenix Suns’ Evolving Identity: A Return to Last Season’s Form
Apr 12, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) and guard Devin Booker (1) and guard Bradley Beal (3) and forward Royce O’Neale (00) and forward Kevin Durant (35) huddle up before the final seconds of the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns secured their third straight win, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 120-113. This victory showcased a changing identity for the team and provided a much-needed prove-it moment.
• We saw a thrilling comeback from the Suns, who were down by seven with just over five minutes left. They closed the game on an impressive 19-5 run.
• This wasn’t just luck – the Suns earned this win. We saw forced turnovers, crucial blocks, and smart offensive plays that capitalized on the Hornets’ defensive lapses.
• It’s been a while since we’ve seen a comeback like this from the Suns. In fact, you’d have to go back to November 8th to find a similar situation.
• The closing lineup was interesting. We saw Royce O’Neale and Oso Ighodaro in there instead of Ryan Dunn, and no Tyus Jones. This smaller lineup proved effective down the stretch.
• Let’s talk about the big three. Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal combined for 57 points and 13 assists with just two turnovers. That’s the kind of production we need to see consistently.
• We’re seeing a shift in the Suns’ identity. They’re looking a lot like last year’s team, embracing their strengths and playing to their roster construction.
• Tyus Jones’ minutes are trending down. He only played 18 minutes in this game, and didn’t see the court for most of the fourth quarter. It’s something to keep an eye on.
• The Suns’ defense is improving. They forced 16 turnovers and converted them into 26 points. That’s a significant portion of their total scoring.
• Looking ahead, the Suns have a favorable schedule in January. If they can build on this momentum, they have a chance to make up some ground in the standings.
Remember, it’s not just about winning – it’s about how the Suns are winning. This game showed us glimpses of what this team can be when they’re firing on all cylinders. Let’s hope they can keep this energy going forward.
Monday movers: Isaiah Collier and the resilient Pistons
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier (13) lays the ball up against the Brooklyn Nets during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Isaiah Collier
If you thought tracking incremental improvements was just for teams, think again. Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier had himself a game on Sunday, with a career-high 23 points, seven rebounds and assists, plus a block, in 37 minutes on the floor. It was Collier’s longest sustained playing time this season.
I covered Collier over his McDonald’s All-American weekend in April 2023. As a USC signee he was in the shadow of Bronny James, also in the same “McDAAG” class. Collier was quiet, polite, and a little shy off the floor, on the floor, all those traits inverted. When I’ve circled around to check on how Collier’s been doing this season I haven’t been surprised to see him taking a secondary role. Sometimes the best thing for a rookie is to have a working balance between competitive pressure and developing at their own pace. What I have been surprised by is how much Collier, up to now, has been flying under the radar.
He had a sixth-sense for the game in high school, in his knack for passing, knowing where teammates would be, and dictating the pace of the game — a rarer thing for a young athlete. It showed it again in his single season at USC. The Jazz don’t necessarily want Collier to be the one deploying these things, they have Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and Keyonte George as a backup for them, but when Collier’s been trusted by the team to handle the ball it’s paid dividends.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Win The Phoenix Suns’ victory over the Charlotte Hornets marks another step toward their playoff aspirations, showcasing resilience in back-to-back games. Key contributions from Bradley Beal were pivotal in this win. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Recap The Phoenix Suns secured their third consecutive win with a thrilling 4th-quarter rally against their opponents, demonstrating their tenacity and strategic prowess in clutch moments. (Bright Side of the Sun)
Recap The Suns exacted revenge in a nail-biting victory over the Hornets, emphasizing their determination and capability to close tight games effectively. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview The Phoenix Suns have revealed their starters for the upcoming game against the Charlotte Hornets, setting the stage for an anticipated matchup. (Sports Illustrated)
Trade Bleacher Report suggests the Phoenix Suns propose a strategic trade to enhance their roster and strengthen their bid for the playoffs. (Bleacher Report)
Rumor Imagining the worst landing spots for Jimmy Butler, a potential move to the Phoenix Suns is discussed, adding intrigue to the trade rumors. (Bleacher Report)
Watch Roundball Rock is (almost) back. Giannis, Jayson Tatum, and Wemby star in NBC’s NBA promo. (NBC Sports)
Analysis Amid struggles, what’s the end game for the Suns? (NBA.com)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Waiver Wire Wisdom: Navigating Fantasy Basketball’s Ever-Changing Landscape
Jan 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Noah Clowney (21) passes the ball away from Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray/Rob Gray-Imagn Images
As we dive into Week 13 of the NBA season, it’s crucial to approach your fantasy basketball strategy with a keen eye on both the present and the future. The key is to play for the short term while keeping long-term potential in mind.
Donovan Clingan is an interesting addition. With Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams out, Clingan started and showed promise. However, his value may be limited when Ayton returns. This could be an opportunity to sell high on Clingan if you believe his current performance isn’t sustainable.
Noah Clowney and Nikola Jovic are two players with more long-term value. Clowney’s minutes may fluctuate, but he’s worth rostering for potential future gains. Jovic, despite coming off the bench, has shown promise and could see consistent minutes moving forward.
Click the button below to see which under-rostered players need to find their way onto your team.
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Phoenix Suns Eek Out Victory Over Washington As Ryan Dunn Posts Career Night
The Phoenix Suns escaped Washington with a win over the Wizards despite an ugly fourth quarter from Devin Booker and Co. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia recap the 130-123 win, including how the fourth quarter slipped away, continued questions around Tyus Jones, the solid flow between Booker and Kevin Durant, and Ryan Dunn’s career night.
Phoenix Suns Acquire Nick Richards: How Much Of a Boost Will He Bring?
The Phoenix Suns upgraded their center rotation on Wednesday by trading for Nick Richards, who is expected to start right away. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the deal, including the price of the deal sending Josh Okogie out, how much better Richards makes the Suns, and what comes next ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
Phoenix Suns Lose Tight Game In Atlanta Despite Kevin Durant & Devin Booker Combining For 66
The Phoenix Suns dropped a tight game in Atlanta despite Kevin Durant and Devin Booker combining for 66 points on the road. Brendon Kleen and Ben Garcia break down the loss, including how Bradley Beal came up short late, how familiar issues plagued the Suns again, and the night of growing pains for the Suns’ rookies.
